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Generic versions
Below is information about whether levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid is available in a generic version.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
Here’s a summary about generics of levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid.
Levothyroxine oral tablet is the generic version of Synthroid, which is a brand-name medication. If your doctor prescribed one drug but you’d like to know about its other version, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can help determine whether the generic or brand name is right for you.
Uses of levothyroxine and Synthroid
Here’s a summary of levothyroxine oral tablet’s and Synthroid’s approved uses.
Doctors may prescribe levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid with certain treatments to lower TSH levels. These include radioactive iodine for killing thyroid cancer cells and surgery to remove the thyroid gland.
Doctors may not prescribe levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid in certain situations. For example, they won’t recommend taking the drugs to:
Levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid also have a boxed warning about not being used for the treatment of obesity or as a weight loss aid. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Warnings for levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid” section below.
If you’d like to know more about taking either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid is an option to consider.
Dosage of levothyroxine and Synthroid
Below is dosage information for the conditions that both levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid treat, see these articles about levothyroxine oral tablet dosage and Synthroid dosage.
The following dosages are provided by the drugmakers of levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Levothyroxine’s and Synthroid’s dosages
Below is a summary of the recommended dosages of levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid in adults and children. Both drugs have the same dosages. Strength is measured in micrograms (mcg), and body weight is measured in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Dosage in adults
The table below provides the recommended dosages of levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid in adults:
* To start, doctors may prescribe a lower dose in certain adults, such as people with certain heart problems and those ages 65 years and older.
† For example, a person weighing 78 kg (about 171 lb) may start with a dose of 125 mcg.
Dosage in children
The table below provides the recommended dosages of levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid in children:
For example, a child of age 6 years weighing 25 kg (about 55 lb) may be prescribed a dose of 100–125 mcg.
For children who can’t swallow pills, either Synthroid or levothyroxine oral tablets may be crushed and mixed into a small amount of water. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for detailed instructions.
Side effects of levothyroxine and Synthroid
Levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid are also listed.
Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.
This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid. You can also check out these articles about levothyroxine oral tablet side effects and Synthroid side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid:
* An allergic reaction is possible with levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid. But it wasn’t reported in the drugs’ studies for levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid.
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid:
* An allergic reaction is possible with levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid. But it wasn’t reported in the drugs’ studies for levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Questions about levothyroxine and Synthroid
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid.
Between levothyroxine and Synthroid, is one a better treatment for low thyroid hormone levels?
Doctors may prescribe either levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid to treat certain thyroid conditions. In studies, levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid were both effective for this purpose.
Keep in mind that your results from taking levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid may differ from those seen in studies.
Levothyroxine oral tablet is the generic version of Synthroid. (For more information, see the “Generic versions” section above.) Your doctor can help determine whether one option is better for your condition. They’ll recommend this based on your specific needs and health factors.
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.
Does levothyroxine or Synthroid cause weight gain?
No, these medications aren’t expected to cause weight gain. It wasn’t a side effect reported in studies of levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid.
Weight gain can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid, which both drugs are used to treat.* If you notice weight gain while taking levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid, talk with your doctor. This could be a sign the drug or its dosage isn’t working for your condition. Your doctor can order a test to check your thyroid hormone levels with a blood test. They’ll use the test results to help determine whether your dosage needs adjusting.
If you have concerns about weight gain while taking either drug, tell your doctor.
* For more information about the uses of levothyroxine and Synthroid, see the “Uses of levothyroxine and Synthroid” section above.
Warnings for levothyroxine and Synthroid
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not take levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid, and others should take either medication with caution.
Warnings for levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid are summarized below. Before taking either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
Boxed warning for levothyroxine and Synthroid: Not for treatment of obesity or use as a weight loss aid
Levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid have a boxed warning about not being used for the treatment of obesity or as a weight loss aid. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Doctors will not prescribe levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid for treating obesity or to use as a weight loss aid. This is because dosages required for obesity and weight loss can lead to serious side effects. These include seizures or a blood clot in the brain. In extreme cases, these side effects could be fatal.
If you’re interested in treatment options for obesity or weight loss, tell your doctor. They’ll recommend the best options for you.
To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other warnings
In addition to the boxed warnings above, levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid have other warnings. These are summarized in the table below:
You can view more detailed articles about levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do levothyroxine oral tablet and Synthroid compare with other treatments for my condition?
- Can I switch from levothyroxine oral tablet to Synthroid, or vice versa?
- Will levothyroxine oral tablet or Synthroid cure my condition?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
